Madeline Sawyer may be poor and unknown, but she is also a determined and talented artist. She makes up her mind to paint Morning Glory, the prize horse of the very wealthy Louis Stromberg. Despite her shyness and poverty, she enters the exclusive world of great art and horses. As Maddie forges new painting techniques for herself, she also comes to understand and admire the techniques, sheer hard work, and dedication needed to be an Olympic-quality rider. Although both are emotionally bruised by past experiences, she and the rider, Gray Grisholm, tentatively join in an emotional partnership. Two people in a separate search for glory come to support, admire, and help each other reach their goals.

Alison Blake is a lifelong art and horse lover who spends as much time at the stables as she does in art galleries. She is also a playwright who has had her plays produced on both the East and West coasts and a few places in between. She lives in San Diego with a golden retriever named Ryder. GRAY-EYED GLORY is her first book for Avalon.